Container for holding and dispensing fluid

ABSTRACT

A container for holding and dispensing fluid has a flexible bag to which a spout is connected. A specially designed adapter within the spout has an opening sealed by a plug. A tubular probe is inserted into the adapter opening and snapped onto the plug. The connected probe and plug are pushed into the bag to permit fluid to flow through apertures in the probe. The probe channel is filled with fluid before insertion into the bag, thus introducing substantially no air into the system. Withdrawing the probe snaps the plug back into the adapter to re-seal the bag without substantial introduction of air, and without any leakage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally related to containers having a collapsibleplastic bag containing fluid and means for dispensing this fluid fromthe bag. More specifically, the container bags often are filled withliquid which can be contaminated by air, and therefore the fluid must bedispensed from the bag without a substantial introduction of air.

A container presently becoming more widely used for dispensing fluidssuch as milk which deteriorate in contact with air consists of athin-film plastic forming a bag within a cardboard box. The plastic bagis filled with the liquid and as the liquid is removed, the bagcollapses within the box so that no air need enter the bag to replacethe dispensed liquid and therefore no air contamination occurs.Presently post-mixed syrup for use in fountains, for example, in mixingsoft drinks at a bar is held in a stainless steel container from whichit is pumped to a dispensing nozzle where it is mixed with otheringredients. It is desired to substitute the plastic bag system referredto above for the stainless steel containers.

It is important that no air be introduced into this system for severalreasons. First, air may be harmful to the pump. Secondly, the airdilutes the syrup which is dispensed in a measured mixing ratio withother ingredients in order to produce the soft drink. Thirdly, air canbe detrimental to the fluid itself. It is not only important to be ableto dispense the fluid without introducing air, but it is alsoadvantageous for the container to be able to be re-sealed withoutintroduction of air. This allows for changing the fluid container whenonly partially empty permitting its re-use at a later time. In there-sealing, none of the fluid escapes to create a messy and unsanitarycondition with, for example, syrup dripping from the container.

Many different types of containers and dispensing mechanisms forcontainers have been developed in the past. None, however, satisfy therequirements for a fluid dispensing system as described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive container is composed of a flexible plastic bag which issupported by a rectangular box typically made of cardboard. A spout isconnected to the bag and extends through an orifice in one of the wallsof the container. A specially designed adapter is retained within thespout. The adapter has a central bore communicating with the interior ofthe bag and sized to receive a plug that seals the bore through a snapconnection, thereby preventing fluid from flowing out of the bag.

An elongate probe which is sized to pass sealingly through the bore isinserted into the bore and engages the plug through a second snapconnection. As the probe with the engaged plug passes further into thebore, the plug is pushed interior of the container, thereby breaking theadapter-plug seal. It is important that the plug-adapter snap connectionbe more difficult to release than the probe-plug snap connection is toeffect, so that the probe and plug can be mutually engaged before theplug slides within the bore to break the seal.

The probe and bore of the adapter have means for creating a seal betweenthem to prevent fluid from escaping after the plug is disengaged fromthe bore. It is thus important that the sealing means between the boreand probe be positioned so that the bore-probe seal is effected beforethe plug-bore seal is broken. The probe has an interior channel fordispensing the fluid which passes through apertures in its insertionend. The other end of a probe is connected to a hose which leads to asuitable container for further mixing the fluid. The hose and probe arefilled with fluid before insertion into the adapter bore to prevent aircontamination of the fluid in the bag.

The mutually engaged probe and plug are pushed into the interior of thecontainer, to allow fluid to flow through the apertures in the end ofthe probe beginning the dispensing process. The plug is retained on theend of the probe to prevent it from falling into the container and topermit it to be returned to its closing position within the adapter whenthe probe is withdrawn. The plug is appropriately spaced from theapertures in the end of the probe to ensure that the walls of the bag donot interfere with the liquid flowing through the apertures as the bagcollapses during the dispensing process. This allows virtually all ofthe fluid to be dispensed from the container. The probe may possess alocking rib which locks the probe in its extended position within theinterior of the bag.

If desired, the probe and plug can be withdrawn, thereby re-sealing theadapter bore again without introduction of air and without fluidspillage or drip. In order to accomplish this, it is important for theplug-adapter snap connection to be easier to effect than the probe-plugsnap connection is to release. Thus, the plug is replaced with theadapter-bore and the probe and plug are disengaged. This allowscontainers which are only half empty to be re-sealed withoutintroduction of air, and to be re-used at a later time.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the spout and adapter arepositioned through the top wall of the box, but are not attached to thebox wall. The spout, adapter and attached bag are allowed to collapsedownward with the fluid level as fluid is dispensed. This allows theprobe apertures to remain in communication with the fluid in the bagthroughout the dispensing process. Alternatively, the spout and adaptermay be affixed to the top wall. In this embodiment, the probe is of alonger length sufficient to tranverse from the top to the bottom of thebox, thereby permitting the probe aperture to remain in communicationwith the fluid until the box is virtually empty of fluid.

These and other advantages of the invention will be clarified anddiscussed below with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an upright fluid container with theprobe ready to be inserted in the spout;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the connector assembly and probein approximately the position of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the mutually engagingportions of the probe and plug;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the mutually engagingportions of the adapter and plug;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of the connector assembly similar toFIG. 2, but showing the probe and plug in their intermediate, engagedposition;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of the connector assembly similar toFIG. 2, but showing the probe and plug in their fully extendeddispensing position;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the connector assembly similar toFIG. 2, but showing the probe and plug in their fully extended positionwith the fluid in the container substantially depleted;

FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in which theconnector assembly system moves downward with the bag as the fluid isdepleted; and

FIG. 9 shows a further alternative embodiment of the invention with aprobe of increased length.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a container 10 for holding and dispensing fluidsincludes a rectangular box having six walls 12 which are typicallyformed of a material such as cardboard. The walls 12 provide support fora flexible fluid containing bag 14 which is housed within the box. Thebag preferably is made of plastic film and will typically contain afluid such as syrup, milk or other liquid which can be contaminated byexposure to air.

One of the walls 12 has a circular orifice 16 extending therethrough.Located above the orifice 16 are two slits 18 which are cut through thecardboard side wall 12 and extend upward and diagonally outward fromeach other. Connecting the slits 18 is a fold line 20 in the side wall12. The slits 18 and fold line 20 allow a section 22 of the carboardside wall 12 to be folded upward and outward along the fold line 20 in aflap-like fashion. A fourth side 24 of the foldable section 22 isarcuately shaped to fit flush against a circular .Iadd.outer.Iaddend.spout 26.

The spout 26 is connected to the bag 14 by means of an annular flange 28as shown in FIG. 2. Extending outward from the flange 28 is a reduceddiameter collar 29 and then a further reduced diameter neck portion 30which extends through the orifice 16 in the side wall 12. The step indiameters from the collar to the neck forms a circular shoulder 34 whichabuts the inside surface of the box wall 12. A second annular flange 36around the neck portion 30 outward of the shoulder 34 abuts the outersurface of the box wall 12 and with the shoulder forms an annular recess32. The recess 32 contains the portion of the wall 12 forming theperiphery of the orifice 16. The spout 26 is placed within the orifice16 with the flap section 22 folded upward. The remainder of theperiphery of the orifice 16 is engaged within the recess 32. By foldingthe section 22 downward and engaging it within the recess 32, the spout26 is locked into position.

Extending into the spout 26 is an adapter .Iadd.or inner spout.Iaddend.38. The adapter 38 has a cylindrical wall 40 which ispositioned within the spout 26. A shoulder 42 formed by an annularflange 44 on the wall 40 abuts the neck portion 30 of the spout 26 tolimit extension of the adapter 38 into the spout 26. The outer part ofthe neck portion 30 has protuberances 46 which extend radially inwardand seat against the wall 40 of the adapter 38. In a like manner, thewall 40 of the adapter 38 has sealing ribs 48 which seat against theneck portion 30 of the spout 26. The protuberances 46 and the sealingribs 48 not only provide a tight seal between the neck portion 30 of thespout 26 and the wall 40 of the adapter 38, but also lock the adapter 38within the spout 26. The adapter 38 has an inner cylindrical wall 50which forms a central bore 52 that provides communication between theinterior of the bag 14 and the exterior of the container 10. Extendingradially inward from the exterior end of the wall 50 are two sealingribs 54. As most clearly shown in FIG. 4, the interior end of the innerwall 50 has a circular notch 55 which has a corresponding circular rib57.

Positioned within the bore 52 is an essentially cylindrical plug 56. Theplug 56 is sized to fit coaxially within the bore 52. The plug has aconvex cap 58 of enlarged diameter which forms an annular shoulder 60that abuts the inner end 59 of the cylindrical wall 50, forming a seal.As shown most clearly in FIG. 4, the plug 56 has sides 61 and 63 whichare located below the shoulder 60 and which extend radially outward toform a ridge 62. The ridge 62 and the notch 55 in the adapter 38cooperate in a snap-type connection to lock the plug 56 in its sealingposition within the bore 52. As most clearly shown in FIG. 3, the plug56 has a groove 65 defining a ridge 67 in a central cavity 69.

The adapter 38 and the plug 56 are removed from the spout 26 as a unitto initially fill the container, and then are re-inserted in the spoutas a unit to seal the filled container.

In FIG. 2, a probe 66 is shown aligned with the bore 52. The probe 66 isan elongate tubular member which is sized to fit within the bore 52. Theprobe 66 has an upstream end 68 and a downstream end 70. The downstreamend 70 is attached in a conventional manner to a hose 72 which leads toa dispenser nozzle (not shown). The upstream end 68 of the probe tapersinto a head 76. Located between the downstream end 70 and the head 76 isa ring flange 78 which has a larger diameter than the diameter of thebody of the probe 66. Located slightly downstream of the head 76 areapertures 80 which extend through the wall 82 of the probe 66. Theapertures 80 provide communication between the exterior and the axialchannel 84 through the length of the probe.

Located between the flange 78 and the aperture 80 is a check valve 86,shown as a slit flapper, but which may be of any suitable type. Thecheck valve 86 is locked in position within the channel 84 by means oflocking ribs 94 extending radially outward from the cylindrical body 88and engaging recess 96 within the outer wall 82 of the probe 66. Anannular rib 97 extending radially inward from the outer wall 82 servesto further lock the valve 86 in position. The check valve 86 preventsfluid contained within the channel 84 downstream of the check valve fromflowing through the valve and out of the apertures 80. The check valve86 therefore allows the probe 66 and hose 72 to be filled with liquiddownstream of the valve prior to insertion of the probe 66 into the bore52. This is quite important in preventing the introduction of air intothe fluid as will hereinafter be described.

As most clearly shown in FIG. 3, the head 76 of the probe 66 has aperipheral notch 98. The notch 98 has a corresponding rib 99 which isformed by sides 101 and 103 which extend radially outward. When theprobe is inserted into the bore 52 as will hereinafter be described, therib 99 fits within the groove 65 in the plug 56 and the ridge 67 fitswithin the notch 98 to connect the probe 66 and the plug 56. Withrespect to the probe 66 and the plug 56, by "connect" is meant tofixedly fasten the probe 66 and the plug 56 one to the other so thatforce must be exerted to separate them.

The cooperation of the ridge 67 with the notch 98 and the rib 99 withthe groove 65 ensures that the probe 66 and the plug 56 cannot be movedapart unless a longitudinal pulling force is applied to them. Such aforce is required by the need to move the rib 99 over the ridge 67before the plug 56 and the probe 66 can be separated.

The spout 26, the adapter 38, the plug 56 and the probe 66 arepreferably of a semi-rigid plastic material such as polyethylene withsufficient resiliency to form good seals.

Referring to FIG. 5, the probe 66 is shown in an intermediate positionin which it has been inserted into the bore 52 engaging the plug 56 bymeans of the snap fitting between the rib 99 on the probe head 76 andthe plug groove 65 within the cavity 69. It is important that the snapfitting between the ridge 62 on the plug 56 and the notch 66 in theinner wall 50 of the adapter 38 be more difficult to release than thesnap fitting between the probe 66 and the plug 56 is to effect. Thisallows the probe 66 and the plug 56 to be mutually engaged before theseal provided by the cap 58 is broken.

It should be understood that the side 103 of the probe 66 forms a camsurface which approaches the plug ridge 67 at an obtuse angle tendingtoward 90°. This allows the side 103 to cam the ridge 67 radiallyoutward to permit the rib 99 to easily engage the groove 65. Incontrast, the side 63 of the plug 65 forms an acute angle with the rib57 of the adapter 38, thereby making it relatively difficult for theplug ridge 62 to force the adapter rib 57 radially outward to break theseal. Thus, the snap fitting between the plug 56 and the inner wall 50of the adapter 38 provides a resistance to movement of the plug 56,thereby allowing the snap fitting between the probe 66 and the plug 56to be effected. If the snap fitting between the plug 56 and the innerwall 50 of the adapter 38 were not more difficult to release than thesnap fitting between the plug 56 and the probe 66 was to effect, theprobe 66 would simply push the plug 56 into the bag 14 without the probe66 being engaged with the plug 56.

The adapter sealing ribs 54 engage with the outer wall 82 of the probe66 to provide a seal between the probe 66 and the inner wall 50 of theadapter 38. It is important that the sealing ribs 54 be positioned sothat the seal between the probe 66 and the inner wall 50 of the adapter38 is effected before the seal provided by the plug 56 is broken. Ifsuch were not the case, liquid would be able to flow out of the bag 14and between the probe 66 and inner wall 50, thereby not only spillingfluid but also introducing air into the bag.

It should also be understood that the section of the channel 84 distalto the check valve 86 and the hose 72 is filled with fluid beforeinsertion. This means that the only section of the probe 66 whichcontains air is that section between the check valve 86 and the head 76.The total volume of this section is very small and contains a relativelyinsubstantial amount of air which will not significantly contaminate thefluid in the bag 14.

Referring to FIG. 6, the probe 66 is shown in its fully insertedposition in which the apertures 80 are in communication with the fluidin the bag 14. Thus, fluid can freely flow through the apertures 80,through the check valve 86, and through the hose 72 into a suitablecontainer. As discussed above, the only air which has been introducedinto the interior of the bag which holds the fluid was contained in theprobe between the head 76 of the probe 66 and the check valve 86. Theprobe is inserted until the flange 78 abuts the upper surface of theannular inner wall 50 of the adapter 38. The flange 78 therefore servesto limit passage of the probe 66 through the bore 52. The plug 56 isretained on the probe 66 by means of the snap connection discussedabove, thereby preventing the plug 56 from becoming unattached with thebag 14.

Referring to FIG. 7, the probe 66 is shown again in its fully extendedor dispensing position. The fluid in the bag 14 has been almost fullydispensed. As the bag 14 empties of fluid, the walls 104 of the bagbegin to collapse around the plug 56. The plug 56 is spaced a properdistance from the probe 66 to hold the collapsing bag away from theapertures 80, thereby ensuring that the walls 104 do not interfere withfluid entering the apertures 80. This permits virtually all of the fluidin the bag 14 to be removed from the container 10. If the plug 56extended significantly further into the interior of the bag 14, the bag14 would have a tendency to collapse behind the plug 56 possiblyblocking the apertures 80. Conversely, if the plug extended a relativelyshort distance beyond the probe 66, the bag 14 again would tend tocollapse around the apertures. Thus, it is important that a balance bestruck, with the plug 56 being spaced a sufficient distance from theapertures 80 to provide a small cavity between the apertures 80 and thebag 14. Located slightly distal to the apertures 80 is an optionallocking flange 106 (shown in FIG. 7 only) which mates with the notch 55in the inner wall 50 of the adapter 38. The locking flange 106 resiststhe probe 66 and engaged plug 56 being inadvertently pulled from theinterior of the bag 14.

The invention allows the bag 14 to be re-sealed by the plug 56. Forexample, if one wish to change containers when the bag 14 were onlypartially empty, the probe 66 would simply be withdrawn from the bore52, thereby replacing the plug 56 in its sealing position as shown inFIG. 2 with the bag being re-sealed without spillage or introduction ofair. It is important that the snap connection between the probe 66 andthe plug 56 be more difficult to release than the snap connectionbetween the plug 56 and the inner wall 50 of the adapter 38 is toeffect. The bore 52 is relatively easy to re-seal because the side 61 ofthe plug 56 approaches the rib 57 of the adapter 38 at an obtuse angletending toward horizontal. This allows the ridge 62 to cam the rib 57radially outward so that the ridge 62 can engage the notch 55 effectingthe seal. In contrast, the side 101 of the probe 66 forms a relativelyacute angle tending toward vertical with the plug ridge 67 making itmore difficult for the probe 66 to disengage from the plug 56. Thus, thesnap connection between the probe 66 and the plug 56 provides aresistance to the probe 66 disengaging from the plug 56. This resistanceto the disengagement allows the snap fitting between the plug 56 and theadapter 38 to be effected, thereby re-sealing the bore 52. Thus, thesnap fittings between the probe 66 and the plug 56 and the snap fittingbetween the plug 56 and the adapter 38 are easy on/hard off snapconnections.

Referring to FIG. 8, a modification of the invention is shown. In thisembodiment, the orifice 16 for the spout 26 and adapter 38 has beenpositioned in an upper wall 12. Thus, as fluid is dispensed from the bag14, the fluid level drops downward away from the orifice 16. Since thebag 14 is sealed to the flange 28 of the spout 26, if the spout 26 wereattached to the wall 12, the fluid level would soon drop below theapertures 80 in the probe 66, therefore terminating all furtherdispensing of fluid. However, as shown in FIG. 8 in this embodiment, thespout 26 and the adapter 38 are not affixed to the wall 12 and thereforeallow the bag to collapse downward as fluid is dispensed, with the spoutand probe going down with the collapsing bag 14. A sufficient length ofhose 72 is provided to extend into the container 10 to its bottom. Aweight 74 attached to the spout assures that the spout moves down as thefluid is dispensed from the bag. In the FIG. 8 embodiment, preferablythe spout 26 and the adapter 38 are mounted within the side wall orifice16 which is surrounded by an annular tear-away strip (not shown). Thistear-away strip can be disengaged from the side wall 12, therebyreleasing the spout from the side wall. This, in turn, allows the spout26 and the adapter 38 and the bag 14 to collapse with the fluid in thebag permitting the apertures 80 in the probe 66 to remain incommunication with the fluid.

Referring to FIG. 9, a further embodiment of the invention is shown.Like the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the orifice 16 is again positionedthrough an upper wall 12. In this embodiment, however, the spout 26 andthe adapter 38 remain attached to the wall 12. If the probe were of alength as shown in FIGS. 1-8, the fluid level would quickly drop belowthe apertures 80 in the probe 66, thereby terminating further dispensingof fluid. However, in this embodiment, the probe 66 is of a much longerlength and is inserted to extend the full length of the container 10 toits bottom. Thus, the apertures 80 will remain in communication with thefluid throughout the dispensing process.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector for dispensing fluids from acontainer having a fluid storage portion and a spout openingcomprising:(a) an elongate member having an interior channel totransport said fluid having an entrance from the exterior and saidmember being sized to closely fit within said opening; and (b) a plugpositioned within said opening which seals said opening through firstsnap fitting, said plug and said member being mutually engageable bymeans of a second snap fitting, said plug and said member being mutuallyslidable while engaged to permit said channel entrance to extend intothe storage portion of the container to dispense fluid, said firstfitting being more difficult to release than said second fitting is toeffect, thereby ensuring that the member and plug are mutually engagedbefore said plug and member are slid into the storage portion breakingthe seal.
 2. The connector of claim 1 wherein said second fitting ismore difficult to release than said first fitting is to effect to permitsaid plug to be repositioned within said opening to reseal the openingbefore said member and plug can be disengaged.
 3. The connector of claim1 wherein:said plug is a sufficient distance from said channel whilesaid member and plug are mutually engaged within said storage portion ofthe container to prevent the walls of said storage portion frominhibiting the flow of fluid entering said channel.
 4. The connector ofclaim 1 further comprising means cooperating with said member and saidspout opening to form a second seal between the exterior of the memberand the interior of the opening, said means positioned so as to effectsaid seal before said plug is slid into the storage portion breaking theseal.
 5. A device for holding and dispensing fluid comprising:(a) aflexible bag supported by a rigid box; (b) a spout attached to saidflexible bag; (c) an adapter positioned within said spout having a borewhich provides communication between the interior of the flexible bagand rigid box exterior; (d) a plug sized to fit within said bore, saidplug having a first position located within said bore and coaxial withsaid bore in which the bore is sealed and a second position in which theplug is exterior of the bore so the seal is broken; (e) a probeseparable from said bore sized to fit coaxially within said bore havingmeans for engaging said plug and for pushing said plug into said secondposition, said probe having an interior channel which extends through anopening in an exterior wall, said channel opening being positioned toeffect communication with fluid in the bag while said plug is in thesecond position, said probe including means for selectively returningsaid plug to the first position for resealing the bore; (f) means forlocking said probe in position within said bore while said channelopening is in communication with the fluid.
 6. A fluid container adaptedto dispense fluid through a probe having an interior fluid channelcomprising:(a) a box; (b) a flexible bag supported within said box; (c)a spout separable from said probe attached to said bag; (d) an adapterpositioned within said spout having a bore which provides communicationbetween the interior of the flexible bag and the box exterior; (e) aplug sized to fit coaxially within said bore to seal said bore, saidplug being releasable from said bore to permit movement into theinterior of the flexible bag to break the seal in response to beingpushed by said probe, said probe pulling said plug back into sealingengagement with said bore when said probe is removed from the interiorof said flexible bag.
 7. A device for holding and dispensing fluids,comprising:(a) a container having a fluid storage portion; (b) a spoutopening attached to said container which permits fluid to flow from thefluid storage portion to the exterior of the container; (c) means fordispensing a fluid from said container, said dispensing means having aninterior channel to transport said fluid in communication with theexterior, said channel being substantially free of gaseous material toprevent contamination of said fluid; (d) means for sealing said spoutopening positioned within said opening; (e) means for engaging saidsealing means with said dispensing means, said engaging means comprisinga first snap fitting between said dispensing means and said sealingmeans, said dispensing means having means for positioning said channelwithin the storage portion of the container by removal of said sealingmeans from said spout opening to break the seal, said sealing meanshaving means to prevent said removal until said dispensing means andsaid sealing means are in mutual engagement, said removal preventionmeans comprising a second snap fitting between said sealing means andsaid spout opening, said second snap fitting being more difficult torelease than said first snap fitting is to effect; and (f) meanscooperating with said dispensing means and said spout opening forsecuring the interface between said dispensing means exterior and saidspout opening against passage of fluid, said securing means beingpositioned to effect securing before said sealing means is removed..Iadd.
 8. A container adapted to dispense fluid comprising:(a) a fluidcontainer; (b) a spout attached to said container, said spout having abore which provides communication between the interior and the exteriorof the container, said bore being adapted to receive a dispenser probehaving an interior fluid channel; and (c) a plug sized to fit coaxiallywithin said bore to seal said bore, said plug being coaxially slidablewithin said bore to extend into the interior of said container flexiblebag to break the seal in response to being pushed by said probe andhaving means for fixedly fastening the plug to said probe so that theplug will move axially with the probe in said bore when being pushed orpulled, the plug being fixedly fastened to said probe upon axial pushingengagement by said probe before breaking said seal, said plug adapted tobe pulled by said probe back into sealing engagement with said bore, andthen to separate from said probe during axial pulling removal of saidprobe from the interior of said bore. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. The containerof claim 8, wherein said fluid container is a flexible bag, furthercomprising a box within which said bag is supported. .Iaddend.